If your steering wheel drifts toward one side when you let go, something in your alignment, tires, or brakes is off. It is annoying at low speed and dangerous at highway speed. Here are the most common causes ranked by how often they actually turn out to be the problem.
Hitting a pothole or curb knocks camber, caster, or toe out of spec. The car drifts toward the side with less caster or more positive camber.
A tire 5+ PSI lower or with cupped wear will pull that direction. Always check pressure cold first, then swap front tires side-to-side to test.
A seized caliper drags one side and pulls toward it under braking. Often paired with a hot wheel and burning smell after a short drive.
Slop in a tie rod end or ball joint changes toe under load. Often paired with clunking over bumps or uneven inner tire wear.
Soft or cracked control arm bushings let the wheel move backward under throttle, mimicking an alignment issue.
The pull is so strong you have to hold the wheel hard, the steering wheel shakes under braking, or you hear grinding from a wheel. Driving with a dragging caliper can overheat brake fluid and cause sudden brake loss.
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Short distances at low speed are usually OK. Avoid highway speeds because a sudden tire failure or stuck caliper at 70 mph is dangerous.
A 4-wheel alignment runs $80-$200 at most shops. Lifetime alignment packages from chains like Firestone often pay for themselves after 2 visits.
Sometimes. If a single tire is causing it (radial pull), moving that tire changes the pull. If pull stays, it is alignment or suspension.
Mild alignment issues or a slightly underinflated tire show up most at speed because aerodynamic and rolling forces amplify the pull.
Only if a tire is the cause. If the alignment is off, new tires will wear unevenly within 5,000 miles. Always align after installing new tires.